Marking device



Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

mam: AI-ILBUBG, or vLos antennas, csmoaam.

MARKING DEVICE.

a lication filedMay 8,

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known-that I, FRANK Antenna, a German citizen, and a resident of Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, and State of California, have invented a new and useful hilarkii'ig Device, of: is a specification.

My invention relates to branding or marking devices and one of the objects of theinvention is the provision of a marking tool for use on objectsof irregular contour such as melons and fruits, and particularly on such articles after they have been elated.

which the following My invention possesses other objects and .to more clearly show the construction. Fi

2 is an end view of the device showing the dies. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the die bars, showing a single die block thereon, and Fig. i is an end view of the die shown in Fig. 3.

Broadly considered, my invention comprises a frame suitable for hand manipulation andterminating in an elongated head in which the die elements are arranged. lVhile my marking tool may be otherwise used, it is contemplated that one of its most -'aluable uses will be in connection with the marking of musk melons after the melons have been crated, the head of the device be ing inserted between the slats of the container in which the melons are customarily packed. The head of the tool comprises a plurality of die bars slidably arranged there in and resiliently pressed outwardly. A deformable die block is detachably connected across the outer end of the die bars and desired characters are arranged on the die block. If desired, the characters may be formed of a plurality of closely spaced studs of the same deformable material as that composing the die block and integrally formed therewith. hen pressed upon a surface of irregular form the deformable character of the dies and die blocks coupled with the mounting on resilient bars per- 1922. Serial No. 559,171.

mits the reaching of all portions of thesurface to be marked, and melons of exceedingly rough surface, and even pineapples may be successfully marked by my tool,

In using the device the ope at'or impresses the die face upon a pad to suitablyink the die characters and then reaching 'tliru the space between the sl'ats ofthe crate, in which the melons or fruit are packed, impresses the inkedsurface of the die upon thesu-rface to be marked, rocking the die slightly" to insure contact with-all: portions thereof.

More particularly, any marking tool co'mprises a frame 2, ter1ninating at oiiefei-id" in a handle 3 and at the other end ahead a plate 6 to close the recess.

Slidably mounted in the recess are a plurality of die bars 7 preferably of rectangw lar section and arranged contiguously to provide mutual upport. In the side of each die bar is formed a recess 8, the recesses being alined transversely across the tool when the die bars are assembled in the head. Extending across the'head in the recesses is a stop pin 9, the function of which is to limit the movement of each die bar in either direction. Formed on the inner end of each die baris a stud 11 which extends thru the transverse web 12forming part of the frame, A coil spring 13 interposed between the transverse web and the body of the die bar provides-means for resiliently pressing the die bar outwardly againstthe stop pin.

At the other end of the die bar is mounted a die and I prefer to form the die of deformable material, such as rubber, in a block 14 extending over several die barsbut attached to each. i In Fig. 1, I have shown two sets of die blocks. Suitable keys 15 formed on the die block and seating in a similarly shaped recess in each die bar, connects the die block to the die bars in such manner that the die blocks may be readily changed or replaced.

In formingthe characters on the die block, I prefer toform the'cha-racters of a plurality of short studs 16 integral with the die block. I find that for some uses where the surface to be marked is very rough thatthis form of die gives a better result. Thus a deformable character is arranged on a deformable die block, which is in turn supported by the resiliently held die bars, providing a very flexible marking tool capable 4 recessedin one side and adapted to receive ofimprinting clear-cut-characters on surfaces which have hitherto defied the marking de- 7 VlCGS.

I claim 1. A marking device comprising a frame,

a plurality of die bars slidably mounted in said frame, each bar being transversely recessed, astop pin lying in said recesses and mounted in sald frame, aspring for pressing each bar against said stop pin, and dies 'carried by said bars. I

2. A marking device comprising a frame terminating at one end inahandle and at the other endm a head recessed on one side, a plate closing said recess, a plurality of contiguousdiebars slidably disposed in said recess, each die bar being transversely recessed on the side thereof and said barrecesses being; alined transversely across the frame, a stop pin lying in said recesses and mounted between said frame and said closing plate, a spring for pressing each bar against sald stop" pin, and dies carriedv by saidbars. i

-3. A m'arkingdevice for objects [of ir-i regular contour compr sing a frame termi nating at one end 1n a handle and at the my hand.

other end in a narrow elongated recessed head, a plurality of contiguous die bars slidably disposed together in abutting relationship in the recess in said head to provide a mutual support for one another, a sprmg for pressing each die bar resiliently outwardly, stop means for limiting the movement of the die bars in either direction, and a unitary deformable die detachably carried by the saidplurality of die bars.

4. A marking device for objects of irregular contour such as melons and fruits com- ;prisinga frame, terminatinglat one end in a handle and at the other end in a narrow elongated recessed head, and a plurality of contiguous die bars slidably disposed together in said recessed head and mounted in abutting relationship to provide a mutual support for each other, a unitary deformable FRANK AHLBURG. 

